Architecture firm <a href="www.giancarlozema.com" target="_blank">Giancarlo Zema Design Group</a> recently unveiled renderings for Desert Flower, a floral-inspired building that will serve as <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=bahrain&_=1486484737">Bahrain</a>'s first multifunctional sports center. The center will feature a variety of sporting facilities and host a 40,000-seat auditorium. To minimize the building's environmental impact, the architects topped the structure with 430,000 square feet of solar panels and will use recyclable materials in the construction process.

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Desert Flower by Giancarlo Zema Design Group

Inspired by the colorful flowers found in the Libyan Desert, the Desert Flower sporting center is laid out in the shape of a flower cross-section.

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Desert Flower by Giancarlo Zema Design Group

The surrounding parking lots will also be equipped with solar panels.

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Desert Flower by Giancarlo Zema Design Group

A semi-elliptical grandstand partially wraps around the central stadium and opens up on one side to provide unique views of the sea.

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Desert Flower by Giancarlo Zema Design Group

The long pistil-like area consists of a covered walkway that connects the main entrance to a large stadium, located at the flower's receptacle region.

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Desert Flower by Giancarlo Zema Design Group

Four large petal-like pods radially branch out from the grandstand and into enclosed sports areas that include a basketball court, covered swimming pool, fitness area, and an auditorium for concerts and conferences.

In addition to the integrated solar panels on the center's large aluminum panel roof, Desert Flower will be optimized for cross-ventilation to take advantage of cooling sea breezes and reduce dependence on air conditioning.

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Desert Flower by Giancarlo Zema Design Group

A smaller auditorium accommodates concerts and conferences.

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Desert Flower by Giancarlo Zema Design Group

Smaller attached pods house additional foodservice areas.

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Desert Flower by Giancarlo Zema Design Group

Architecture firm Giancarlo Zema Design Group recently unveiled renderings for Desert Flower, a floral-inspired building that will serve as Bahrain's first multifunctional sports center. The center will feature a variety of sporting facilities and host a 40,000-seat auditorium. To minimize the building's environmental impact, the architects topped the structure with 430,000 square feet of solar panels and will use recyclable materials in the construction process.